When Xenoblade Chronicles Came to 3DS

In 2015 Nintendo made what seemed like the strangest move and brought one of the largest games from the Wii, to the New Nintendo 3DS. Taking a look back, how did it come to fruition and how did it perform?

[@JordiumZ]

This is how I played xenoblade Xenoblade back in 2015 and I loved it, I'm going to replay it in 2025

[@yamchastoned2585]

The fact that it was able to be miniturized for the 3DS is amazing due to its size on the wii, yet im bummed out i didnt get it for the 3DS at the time

[@TheMainMii]

Honestly was a solid way to experience the game but with the definitive edition out for the switch... kinda hard to recommend

[@itsaxel8088]

Xenoblade The Crispy Edition

[@kira516]

Crispy, crunchy, spicy edition

[@itsaxel8088]

​@@kira516Bestest edition

[@Matthew_Murray]

3DS was where I started with Xenoblade and I absolutely loved it, even as low quality as it was the world still amazed me and the story captivated me.

[@LalitoTV]

Something so funny to me about this game is the UI, it's sooo old, 3DS games were already getting modern, minimalist interfaces, and then Xenoblade comes out in 2015 with such old looking stuff. But adapted to a dual screen mode of course. I really liked this release, I barely have time to sink in the ridiculous amount of grinding that the game demands, so having it in a TRUE portable fashion is amazing. The New 3DS is quite tiny but packs power, power that only few games like Xenoblade and Minecraft take advantage of.

[@TheMainMii]

The UI is definitely dated but the dual screen did make it a bit better clearing some of it on the top screen. Myself the game got a few hours invested but when I got around to it the switch was already out and demanding my attention.

[@TurboPikachu]

While the Switch isn’t nearly as portable as the 3DS line, I fell in love with Xenoblade DE and Xenoblade 2 so much in 2022 that I made due by fitting my Switch in my back pocket and bringing it everywhere. The experience lifted me up out of 5 years of burnout on video games

[@TheMainMii]

The Switch and the Xrnoblade Trilogy is definitely a match made in heaven

[@MooseKINGstudios]

Xenoblade on 3DS was always such a cool novelty for me. It feels like an official fan project. Kinda like those “Mario 64 running on GBA”. It’s just so impressive they fit all of Xenoblade 1 on such a tiny cartridge.

[@GhabulousGhoti]

This is the version I first played, I wanted to play it on Wii but I was in college at the time and spent a lot of time in public transport and didn't want to bring my Wii from my dorm back home when I visited often, so the 3DS version was a blessing for me. The 3D effect was really nice too, I pretty much always play 3DS games with the 3D on. Having played through all three versions, including 100%ing the Switch remake, I think the Wii version is still the definitive experience. The environments on Switch looked great but the character models, while objectively very well made, just felt like they didn't fit in with the rest of the world's visual style to me. I also really think that the gritter look of the OG matches the tone of the story so much more, I kinda doubt I would have gotten as invested in the game if I were playing it on Switch first. I actually made a quick hack that muted the colors on the characters on Switch just a bit and that made a huge difference for me - if an artist comes along and adds just a bit more grit to their skin textures I think the Switch version would be easily the best way to play the game!

[@TheMainMii]

I can definitely understand your points with the art style. The character aesthetics of the original wii release was more unique or in some cases more like something you would see in final fantasy from the ps2. I think the change on the Switch to more "general anime aesthetic" had an effect on the perception of how everything meshed.

[@RedSoxKal]

I finished the game on the switch but you made me want to do it again on the 3DS. ❤

[@MultiUniverseVideo]

6:45 SO TRUE !!! 😭 Thanks to you ! You make me happier now :D

[@ChristopherLanham5]

I never knew anything about the game when I got it for my 3DS. When I found out it was originally on the Wii I was amazed that my 3DS could run it. I loved it but I actually never finished it. I think I got to the last fight and gave up. Never got any of the games on the Switch but I think I should go back and play again!

[@Orpheusftw]

Don't be afraid to play this version, even though "Definitive edition" exists. There's nothing wrong with it. 'Performance is good, you get the same great story, and I personally LIKE the way it looks. 🤷‍♂️

[@Maxx________]

Nothing wrong with it if this if a 3DS is only what you have available, but why like it when you can love it if you have a Switch available? I say this as someone who has both versions

[@pixceta]

​@@Maxx________well, i have a switch and tbh ive been thinking on getting a new3ds to play this game, there is something in the look of the wii/3ds characters that captivates me, they look like dolls, its pretty unique, but in the DE they look more generic anime-like IMO. Its a tough choice for me since i will most likely not play both versions 😆

[@RLHendrick58]

Great video. I played this version as my introduction to the series. I picked it up once I saw some information for XC2 before that launched on Switch. I wanted to at least get an idea of what I was getting into. Over (probably) 500 hours later, I consider myself a Xenoblade fan. That 3DS version did everything right to be playable and not downgrade the experience. It was the first time in a very long time a game completely captured my interest and I couldn't put it down. Thanks for making this video and helping me relive that joy.

[@CritsVG]

This was my first contact with the Xenoblade series, back when the 3DS was still the only console I owned. Was absolutely blown away by the size of the game and even enjoyed playing it all in full 3D. The experience was so profound that I ended up chasing something similar for a long time, to the point of getting a PS4 just to be able to try out more JRPGs. None of them were able to fill the hole though.

[@RokuNekoRoku_]

"Xenoblade Chronicles is a series" That's all I needed to hear before I gave this video a like.

[@moystupido]

This was the version I beat first and I was so impressed by the fact that they put such a large adventure onto the 3DS. I remember picking it up along with Xenoblade Chronicles X on the Wii U back in 2015 on my way back home from college. It felt so nice to pick up and play in short bursts or during some long commutes. Even though I really like the Switch version a lot, I gravitate toward the 3DS or Wii versions when thinking about replaying the game. There's something charming about the original to me.

[@sebastiantate6041]

107 subs and 104 you deserve more loved this video

[@Watcher-Gaming]

Great video. This is one of my favorite games of all time, but I never picked it up on the 3DS. I'm surprised prices aren't higher than they are. I'm going to keep an eye out for it.

[@TheMainMii]

Thank you! And Goodluck hope you find a deal!

[@Chronoflation]

Man, now I want to play this version of the game again. Idk why, but I just couldn't get into definitive edition. I think I originally played this version roughly through Eryth Sea but got caught up in other new games after that point. I was also playing on Wii U virtual console too, since the gamepad would display the Wii version in its peaj native resolution. It looks really crisp on the gamepad. But maybe that burnt me out on the game a bit. I would love to go back and see how this holds up after all this time. I've been getting back into my 3DS lately, so I'm excited for it!

[@ClaytonMathisVO]

This was the first way I played Xenoblade, and what made me a fan of the series.

[@SantoryuKauboi]

First played the game on the 3DS. Thought it was beautiful, and fell in love with the world and music. Glad I got introduced to it here first. It led me to buying it again multiple times after.

[@tomlion0116]

I'm gonna be honest. I played the Xenoblade Chronicles on my modded New 2DS for the first time last year at the age 30. It was my first hardcore JRPG. Before that I played M&L Superstar Saga, Monster Hunter Stories and Paper Mario 64 because as a kid/teenager I never played these kind of games. After my first kid friendly/easy RPG's I wanted to play a real big one. I heard many good takes from the Xenoblade series and it got me intrigued... But I did not wanted to pay 50-60$ for a game in a genre I just started. But I heard of the New 3DS version and got it for free and 200 hours later... MAN! It became one of my favourite gaming experiences ever. Can't wait to buy and play Xenoblade 2 and 3 when the time comes but currently I play Fire Emblem Echoes on my 2DS wich is also great and the Thousand Year Door Remake on my Switch. I became a Fan of these kind of games thanks to my entry games in this genre and this port of Xenoblade Chronicles.

[@Dzztzt]

The Wii U had the original Wii Version available on its Virtual Console.

[@TheMainMii]

This is true however it did launch about a year later than this version.

[@Cool-Vest_Leo]

It was nice. I got it. You could play it on the gamepad, which was a pleasant change from the Prime Trilogy.

[@cyndit9054]

I just finished Xenoblade 3 and have now played the entire trilogy on the Switch (besides Future Redeemed, which I plan to play soon), so it's fun to hear praise for such an interesting version of the first game of such a beautiful series. I seriously doubt that I would ever play or recommend this version since the Definitive Edition is definitely the definitive version, but it's still nice to hear about

[@TheMainMii]

I think if you enjoyed the 3D of the 3DS this is one of the best games for scale when it's active. Glad you love the series! Xenoblade is truly amazing 👏

[@cyndit9054]

@@TheMainMii I'm not too big of a fan of actually having the 3d on when I play on my 3ds, so I probably wouldn't be able to really appreciate that.

[@MultiUniverseVideo]

Well, it's time to emulation! Because not enough data in My Xenoblade for my friend who want play THREE PLACE FOR SAVE GAME PROGRESS IS NOT ENOUGH 😭

[@ItsNep]

While I don't think it's the type of game I could beat on the 3ds these days - it's a really novel title and it's super cool they fit it on the system. If you are a fan of the series I think it's worth checking out, at least for a couple hours of gameplay. Wish I had played it closer to release, I would have loved it so much, but I opted to play the Wii U VC version a few years later instead.

[@therealjaystone2344]

The forgotten novelty

[@RetroNerdyGamer]

I own all 3 versions of Xenoblade 1 and honestly? I think 3ds is the best one Definitive Edition is great graphics wise but took some of the charm away making it kinda anime styled like 2 and making the menu straight up pause the game. Plus 3ds had collection mode which imo should've been in DE. Either way you think about it a game like XC1 on 3ds was freaking wild and glad i nabbed a complete copy in 2020 for 20 dollars usd!

[@itz_maher]

Let’s gooo!

[@mishka1313]

Xenoblade was everything that FF wished to be.

[@AkhPale]

W Video! 🔥

[@GamingtheOtter]

Can Xenoblade use streetpass?

[@TheMainMii]

Yes it can. If you pass someone who has the game, has streetpass on, you should get tokens for the collection section

[@JustJulyo]

Anyone who talks about Xenoblade Chronicles gets an instant sub from me! #97

[@toadie48]

The west is more than just America. It's worth noting that Xenoblade did come out in the west, it came out in Europe and Australia. The west is more than just America, again. I don't know why Americans always do that, think they the center of the universe.

[@174Anime]

Just use the switch how is that not relevant to this video?

[@silver-ht]

yo whats ur discord

[@TheMainMii]

I don't use discord.

[@silver-ht]

@@TheMainMii oh